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Implications of Climate Change for Agriculture and Food Security in the Western Asia and Northern Africa Region

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Climate Change and Food Security in West Asia and North Africa

Abstract

Western Asia and Northern Africa (WANA) region is considered to be one of the most vulnerable regions to the impacts of climate change. In particular, dry areas characterized by low and unpredictable rainfall, long dry seasons, scarce water resources, rural poverty, dependence on agriculture, limited cropping/livestock options and low level of technological adoption contribute to vulnerability. Current vulnerabilities are likely to be exacerbated further by increasing climate variability and climate change. Agricultural productivity in the WANA region is likely to suffer losses because of high temperature, drought, and soil degradation, which, in turn will put the food security of many countries under threat. Many countries in the region are major food importers, and climate change impact may increase this dependence on imports. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that a total of 25 million people are under-nourished in the Western Asia and Northern Africa region, and climate change may further exacerbate the food insecurity situation. Improving adaptation capacities through sustainable management and monitoring of rangelands, improved soil and water management and conservation as well as with non-structural measures such as crop insurance can reduce the impact of climate change on livelihoods. However, developing policies, legislation and action plans that integrate climate change considerations are the pre-requisite for enhancing adaptation in agriculture, sustainable livelihoods and improved food security.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Climate, Energy and Tenure Division (NRC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, 00153, Italy

    Ramasamy Selvaraju

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  1. Ramasamy Selvaraju
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Correspondence to Ramasamy Selvaraju .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Climate Prediction and Adaptation Branch, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva 2, Switzerland

    Mannava V.K. Sivakumar

  2. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Rattan Lal

  3. Climate, Energy and Tenure Div. (NRC), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome, Italy

    Ramasamy Selvaraju

  4. AARINENA, Amman, Jordan

    Ibrahim Hamdan

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Selvaraju, R. (2013). Implications of Climate Change for Agriculture and Food Security in the Western Asia and Northern Africa Region. In: Sivakumar, M., Lal, R., Selvaraju, R., Hamdan, I. (eds) Climate Change and Food Security in West Asia and North Africa. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6751-5_2

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